By Al Belbol
South Merrick 93 United recently took part in the North Babylon Patriot Soccer Club Indoor Tournament. It was only the second indoor tournament ever for the team. Owing to several player obligations and conflicts, United only fielded the minimum six players for the roster, having no substitutes.
United played its first game against the Center Moriches Bulldogs, who fielded two teams. United got off to a quick start and won 3-0, with all three goals scored by Brian Behnke. Matt Calo and Alex Hinners worked well together on defense to preserve the shutout.
The second game was against the other Center Moriches team, which scored quickly on United to put them in a hole. But, with a minute left to play, Brian Crean scored to tie the game, and Anthony Belbol, not normally a goalkeeper, made a lunging save in the final seconds to preserve the tie.
Game three was against the tough Massapequa Thunder team, and Behnke scored again to give United a quick lead. In the final minute, Crean was hit with the ball accidentally in the face and was encouraged to come off the field. Crean looked at the bench, seeing only coach Al Belbol and trainer Patrick O'Neill. With no substitutes available, Crean waved off his coaches and stayed in the game. Seconds later, Crean scored to cement a big win and put United on course to advance to the finals with one more win.
The fourth game was against the host North Babylon Thrashers, who beat United a month earlier in a tournament in Oceanside. Hinners, normally a forward, played defense to perfection and scored on a long shot to put United up 1-0. Dylan Ratner played a solid forward position and set up Behnke for the final goal of the match. The win put United in the finals.
The fifth and final game was against a second North Babylon team, and United let up a fluke goal off a deflection in a 1-0 loss. It was only the second goal Belbol let up in five games in net, impressive for a player without much experience in that position.
Before the Championship Game, player awards were given out. Behnke received the Best Forward Award in the tournament for his five goals, despite playing a center defense position. Belbol was a finalist for Best Goalkeeper.
The Championship Game was against a Babylon team that was undefeated. The game stayed at 0-0 until Calo and Ratner set up Behnke for the first goal of the match with only minutes to play. Belbol made three big saves in the final two minutes, and Hinners cleared the ball consistently to keep Babylon from scoring. The 1-0 final score made it four shutouts in six games and only two goals allowed.
The championship title was the first time this team, many players together since kindergarten, had placed first in any tournament or division. It was a happy ending for a hard-working team that puts sportsmanship first in their approach to the game.
